Economics of conservation tillage in the semiarid prairie

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Abstract
Concerns about environmental sustainability and economic survival have changed tillage practices significantly in western Canada. This study examined the effects of conventional (CT), minimum (MT), and no-tillage (NT) management on the economic performance of hard red spring wheat (Triticium aestivum L.) or durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) production when grown in fallow–wheat (F–W) and continuous wheat (Cont W) rotations, over a period of up to 12 yr (1982–1993) on three soil textures in southwestern Saskatchewan. Our results show little short-term economic incentive for producers to adopt NT management practices. Production costs were similar on the three soil textures, averaging $141 ha−1 for F–W and $224 ha−1 for Cont W. Total costs for Cont W systems averaged 10 to 13% higher for NT compared to CT. For F–W systems total costs for NT averaged 29% higher than for CT on the silt loam, and 14% higher on the heavy clay. Also for F–W systems costs for NT averaged 23, 12, and 17% higher than for MT on silt loam, sandy loam, and heavy clay soils, respectively. Although conservation tillage (MT and NT) provided savings in labor, fuel and oil, machine repair, and machine overhead (compared to CT), these savings were more than offset by greater expenditures for herbicides. On the silt loam, net returns were highest for Cont W (CT) and lowest for F–W (NT) at wheat prices greater than $147 t−1; at lower wheat prices, F–W (CT) and Cont W (CT) provided the highest and about equal net returns. On the sandy loam, F–W (MT) consistently earned the highest net return; F–W (NT) ranked second highest, while Cont W systems ranked lowest. On the heavy clay, F–W (MT) and Cont W (CT) provided the highest net return at wheat prices greater than $147 t−1, while at lower wheat prices F–W (MT) ranked highest. In our study, the relatively poor economic performance of conservation tillage, particularly NT, for monoculture wheat production was due to a combination of higher input costs and the lack of significant yield advantages with MT and NT management. Key words: Minimum tillage, no-tillage, net returns, production costs, riskiness

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